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How do you get a summer internship as a current computer science freshman college student with no experience?

I just want an oppurtunity to gain experience in this tech industry, and to gain more knowledge about what I want to do in the future.

college technology computer-science computer internship internships information-technology ux-design no-experience college-freshman
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Itisha’s Answer

It's a great proactive approach on your end to look for internships at this point and it will definitely contribute in your future endeavors. Your initial help can come from the careers department of your college, where they can guide you on the companies that offer internships in your college. Some colleges even have student ambassadors, presidents or coaches who cater to such requests.

Itisha recommends the following next steps:

For further support, create an account on job portals like LinkedIn and Indeed. Then search for internships and recruiters hiring freshers. You can even look for volunteer opportunities because sometimes internships require experience.
To make your profile stand out on these job portals, create an impressive portfolio. In your portfolio, include projects that you have worked upon related to the skillsets you are looking for internships.
In order to make your portfolio strong, explore platforms like kaggle, github, leetcode, Medium etc and work on relevant projects that would add evidence to your skill. This would help you to get attractive internship opportunities.
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Arpit’s Answer

Hey there Trishna, your question really got me thinking! Here are a few friendly pointers that might help you out.

1) Be an Early Bird:
Why not kick off your hunt for that perfect internship as early as the fall semester? It's never too soon to start planning for the summer!

2) Make Friends and Influence People:
Get chatting with your professors, past students, and those already working in the industry. You never know who you might meet at career fairs and hackathons!

3) Shine Online:
Why not set up a professional website or a GitHub profile? It's a great way to show off all the amazing projects you've been working on and the skills you've picked up along the way.

4) Cast a Wide Net:
Don't just focus on the big names in tech. Smaller companies and startups are often more willing to take on interns who might not have as much experience but are eager to learn.

5) Show Off Your Superpowers:
When it comes to your applications and interviews, don't be shy about highlighting your knack for problem-solving, your thirst for knowledge, and your love for all things tech.

I remember when I was in your shoes, I reached out to everyone I could think of and even sent out some cold emails to find the right internship. I also took on a few freelance projects and even designed a computer game. I made sure to include the game in my applications, and it really caught people's attention! :)
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Adit’s Answer

Securing a summer internship in Computer Science as a freshman, even without prior experience, is absolutely achievable! Here's a helpful guide to kick-start your journey:

Begin with Baby Steps: Engage in personal coding projects or take part in online coding competitions (such as LeetCode or HackerRank). Even the smallest projects demonstrate your proactive approach and eagerness to learn.

Expand Your Connections: Participate in campus activities, tech discussions, and job fairs. Foster relationships with your professors, become a member of tech groups, and network with fellow CS students who may have information about potential opportunities.

Embrace Online Education: Utilize platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or edX to master programming languages, algorithms, or data structures. Including these on your resume will highlight your commitment to continuous learning.

Showcase Your Work: Exhibit your projects on GitHub or build a personal website where prospective employers can witness your progress and accomplishments.

Utilize Internship Platforms: Websites like Handshake, LinkedIn, and Internshala offer a plethora of internship opportunities specifically tailored for students with limited experience.

Make the First Move: Proactively reach out to companies or network with recruiters, expressing your enthusiasm and readiness to learn. Numerous companies are open to hiring zealous students who exhibit a strong will to develop.

Remember, demonstrating your passion for learning and acquiring experience is just as significant as having prior experience!
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Mayson’s Answer

Hello Trishna!

Your freshman status, combined with your computer science background, puts you in an excellent spot to snatch up an internship. If it doesn't materialize this summer, don't stress! You've got a wealth of time on your side. A smart move would be to think about supporting a professor, either over the summer or in the upcoming semester. This will provide you with pertinent experience to highlight on your resume, boosting your odds of securing an internship next summer. It's an incredible opportunity to gain experience within the nurturing environment of your university.

When it's time to submit job applications, I suggest you apply straight to the company, bypassing job portals like Indeed. Networking is a key player too. Make an effort to connect with professionals in your chosen field on LinkedIn, particularly those employed at your dream company. Remember, forging connections is not only advantageous but also an enjoyable and straightforward process. Keep pushing forward, you're on the right path!
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TRAVIS’s Answer

Go to your career services department at the college and ask about internships and upcoming internship fairs. Look at companies that offer internships you would be interested in. Big companies usually have more opportunities. Set up a linkedin account that will send you alerts when a internship match becomes available. Apply Apply Apply. Do not ever apply to one and just wait. You have to be competitive. Good luck, you will do well.
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Chenxiang’s Answer

Some companies offer internships specifically for underclassmen. This is a list I found https://github.com/codicate/underclassmen-internships. Many colleges also have summer research programs, which are also great opportunities for you to learn about the industry!
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Jen’s Answer

Hey
I'd start by checking out the websites of the companies you are interested in to see if they run formal internship programmes, and then reaching out to them directly, via email, explaining why you are keen and what you want to do. It might be good to start off with smaller companies for a bit of local work experience, then build up to bigger companies.
Good luck!
Jen
Thank you comment icon I will start by going to the college advisor at school for guidance to apply for internship opportunities. Your college advisor may have connections. LESLEY WALCOTT
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Robert’s Answer

Hi Trishna. If you're looking for an internship or job as a computer science freshman with no prior experience, you can find many companies that will be willing to hire you...but a lot of those opportunities will be based on the experience you have prior to entering college. For instance, many computer science majors already came into college with some basic skills in programming (software or web). So if you have a good handle on the basics, like HTML, CSS and JavaScript, then you can likely find an entry level internship for a small company. However, you'll need to remember that the pay will likely be very low when compared to someone with more experience.

In my experience, different companies look at potential candidates based on different factors. For instance, some larger companies will only hire people based on their degree status and previous employment. Whereas, other smaller companies might hire someone with absolutely no college education, but the candidate displays a lot of talent when it comes to programming or whatever skillset they need. For myself, when I hire someone for a role as a programmer or web designer, I really focus in on their ability to complete tasks. So I'll give them some test questions to really test their knowledge, because anyone can write down whatever on a resume. I would recommend trying ZipRecruiter to find some entry level positions and be ready to articulate your current knowledge/skillsets.
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Rachel’s Answer

It may also be worthwhile looking for research experiences for undergraduates (REUs) at yours and other universities in addition to industry internships. Apply to a lot of different opportunities, and tailor your resume to fit what they are looking for. This may involve getting a sense of what companies are looking for and taking some online courses to get there. Additionally, if you secure an REU, it will also have a project that gets logged on your resume which may make you more competitive for other internships the next year if you do not have one this year.
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Michele’s Answer

Kudos to you for taking this significant stride in seeking an internship. This is an exceptional way to gain practical experience while still pursuing your education, and it also aids in identifying or discarding the kind of industry that suits you best.

A straightforward method to discover internship opportunities is via LinkedIn.com. If you haven't already, go ahead and create an account - it's completely free. Here, you can conduct a search for 'computer science internship' and then refine your search based on location or remote options to find something that aligns with your work preferences.

Remember to update your LinkedIn profile to include 'seeking an internship'. This way, recruiters or automated systems can easily locate you during their search.

Wishing you all the best in your endeavors!

Michele
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Vinod’s Answer

Take action by applying to as many organizations as you can. You can discover internship opportunities on platforms like Linkedin. At this point in your professional journey, it's wise not to be overly selective. Cast a wide net by applying everywhere, then choose the best offer that comes your way. If you're connected with friends or family in your desired industry, don't hesitate to ask them for help. Additionally, don't shy away from initiating contact with professionals on Linkedin through cold-emails or messages. Ensure your approach is sincere to increase your chances of getting responses and, ultimately, interviews. It's also crucial to prepare a concise and compelling resume to share with potential employers. I can tell you from personal experience that persistence pays off. For my first internship, I applied to hundreds of places from India and eventually landed a few offers in Europe. It was definitely worth the effort!
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Ebru’s Answer

Hey Trishna, you're not in a bad position at all since you're a freshman only. I would recommend the following:
1. Try getting a part-time job in this domain. Maybe data analysis, front-end engineer etc. I did this for my university and I think it was great on my resume to get my foot in the door for my first internship
2. Apply to internships as early as possible using your school's career website. My university used handshake, that's how I got my internship and current position actually.
3. (less important) attend career fairs at your university, recruiters specifically will come looking for interns and not necessarily wanting any prior experience
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Sheraz’s Answer

Here are some tips:
* Network, network, network - attend your college career fairs
* Most college's have excellent career centers, make sure you have your resume/profile registered with them
* Try to take classes that have term projects that give you an opportunity to actually "build" something - you can include that in your resume and add the technical skills as well
* Having an updated resume that highlights your technical skills is critical, make sure you have a LinkedIn profile as well
* Talk to friends who have had prior internships and ask to get a referral or reach out to hiring managers directly
* Practice interview skills to increase your chances of getting accepted - landing the interview is only step 0
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Musadiq’s Answer

Absolutely, you have the power to utilize your school's career network. Additionally, LinkedIn is a fantastic platform for connecting with professionals who share your interests. Don't forget, applying to open positions on career websites is another great step towards achieving your career goals. You've got this!
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Elyse’s Answer

Start by speaking to your professors or career center at school to see if there are any smaller local internships to partake in. There are also plenty of companies that have internships that specifically gear to underclassmen in college. For now, just focus on learning a lot, and remember, even if you don't get an internship as a freshman, you're young and will be fine!
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